Foreign Language Skills Research Articles

The Role of International Internships in the Vocational Education of Technical Secondary School Students

Abstract Subject and purpose of work: This study focuses on vocational education. It explores the role of international internships in the vocational education of the students of technical secondary schools. Materials and Methods: This study is based on a survey conducted on a sample of 77 students participating in international internships. The survey covered all students of the Technical and Vocational Schools Complex in Suwałki attending vocational internships in Italy. Results: The analysis validated the hypothesis that international internships improve the practical skills of secondary school students and contribute to the development of practical skills and social competences in the international context. Conclusions: The surveyed students declared they were satisfied with their vocational internships and were happy to attend them. They believed that the experience gained in an international environment would definitely have a positive impact on their future career. During the internship, they improved not only the skills specific to their field of expertise, but also their personal and social competences, as well as foreign language skills, specifically in terms of technical vocabulary.

THE ROLE OF ONLINE PLATFORMS IN LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

The article analyzes the opportunities and advantages of interactive online platforms in learning foreign languages, their place and role in the formation of foreign language skills of future specialists in the system of higher education. As an evidential theoretical and methodological base the authors apply the data of their own sociological research, which makes it possible to provide certain recommendations of an applied nature in relation to the studied issue on the whole.

The Educational Use of YouTube Videos in Communication Fluency Development in English: Digital Learning and Oral Skills in Secondary Education

Advancement of technology nowadays shows English has become necessary to be mastered and taught to students. Many media tools can be used in teaching language skills. One such widely used media is considered video website YouTube.com since it is the social medium that is positively appraised most by all learners. With adequate access to the internet, learners could use YouTube videos as the valuable tool to develop multiple foreign language skills. This research explored the types of EFL YouTube videos mostly watched by secondary students to enhance speaking skills in the school for gifted children in Kazakhstan. After analyzing the content of YouTube videos, a mixed-methods study was employed to reveal the most preferable categories of video websites that might be valuable to boost communication proficiency in English. Data collection was via a questionnaire with 288 Secondary Education students’ participation. The results of the questionnaire were analyzed descriptively. The findings of the study indicated that Secondary Education students had a positive attitude towards using YouTube videos to learn English speaking skills. In addition, participants’ responses showed that mostly used categories were found regarding English films, songs and vlogs. Authors also identified that the most preferable types of YouTube videos helped learners to become motivated and confident throughout the experiment.

Upaya Peningkatan Berbahasa Inggris Para Pedagang di Pesisir Pantai Pulau Putri Karawang

English plays an important role in every aspect of human life, one of which is the aspect oftourism which is oriented towards foreign tourists. For this reason, an effort to improve foreignlanguage skills is needed. This service program focuses on increasing motivation in speaking Englishand the confidence of merchant on the coast of Pulau Putri when communicating with foreign tourists.This activity consists of learning about (1) basic English conversation. (2) Directions to confusedtourists. (3) Bargaining communication. At the end of the session, merchant were asked to demonstratethe skills they had acquired after teaching. After this activity took place, it can be seen that 80% of themerchant who sell on the coast of Pulau Putri understand the importance of English for them andincrease their motivation to learn more so that local tourism is more advanced. This is because touristareas have the potential for foreign tourist destination. This success factor occurs through carefulprogram planning, the accuracy of materials and learning methods that are fun, participatory and theavailability of learning support tools.

Integrating Foreign Language Skills with the Potential of Technology

Abstract Utilizing different types of technology in the EFL classroom increases overall comprehension, meaningful learning, time management, allowing for combined learning methodologies. Technology provides great opportunities for making learning more effective and motivating. The paper examines the role of technology in teaching the integrated skills approach focusing on the use of different digital devices associated with online technology in the context of language teaching and learning.

Inter-university collaboration as an impetus for improving the quality of language education and promoting academic mobility

Introduction. The article focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of conducting an online inter-university seminar to improve collaboration among students. The purpose of the article is to analyse and describe the main advantages and role of blended learning and to propose ways of assisting collaboration, communication and cooperation in higher education. Materials and Methods. The study is based on the analysis of scholarly literature on foreign language teaching methods. An educational experiment was carried out and a survey was conducted. The data obtained through experiment contributed to Russian and foreign research in the area. The empirical data are analyzed and generalized. Results. The research has revealed the advantages of conducting online inter-university seminars. It is shown that inter-university collaboration enhances development of student communication skills, as well as the abilities to search, select and process information in a foreign language, improves the efficiency of group work and allows for a greater number of student participation. The student motivation is increased, language acquisition is facilitated. The authors have shown that the negative aspects include the differences in foreign language skills and in the in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. The difference in the number of participants from two universities also affects collaborative learning results. Conclusions. The article concludes that blended learning plays an important role in modern higher education allowing students to master communicative and creative skills.

Social Inclusion-Based Community Learning Program at Dinas Kearsipan dan Perpustakaan (Diarpus) of Sukabumi District

Social inclusion-based library transformation is an approach to library services committed to improving the library user community’s quality of life and welfare. Since 2014, Dinas Kearsipan dan Perpustakaan of Sukabumi district (Diarpus of Sukabumi district) has started implementing community learning programs. This study aims to identify the impact felt by the community related to welfare after participating in various social inclusion-based community learning programs implemented by the Diarpus of Sukabumi district. This study uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. Informants in this study were librarians, participants, and teachers of community learning programs. This research reveals that the community learning program implemented by Diarpus of Sukabumi district has helped the community develop its potential. It can be seen from several results; able to do business online through the Bukalapak application, produce Herbal Care Library as an herbal product, increase foreign language skills in English and Japanese, and increase public insight through writing classes in the library. The community also uses the library as a learning center and becomes more familiar with the library, and makes the library a vehicle for lifelong learning. Community learning programs need to reach out to the people of Sukabumi district more broadly, add a variety of activities, collaborate with more parties, and involve the community in program development.Social Inclusion-Based Community Learning Program at Dinas Kearsipan dan Perpustakaan (Diarpus) of Sukabumi

YABANCI DİL ÖĞRENİM SÜREÇLERİNDE BASİTLEŞTİRİLMİŞ ALMANCA SESLİ KİTAPLARIN ETKİNLİĞİNE İLİŞKİN ÖĞRENCİ GÖRÜŞLERİ

This study aims to show the effects of the audiobook forms of linguistically simplified literary works, a new media product, on foreign language learning processes from different perspectives since new media are taking place in current teaching theories and design of foreign language teaching. In the study, applied experimental research was carried out within the framework of linguistically simplified audiobooks. The research was designed with the participation of fifty-four students within the scope of the reading comprehension course. The aim is to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of audiobooks in foreign language acquisition and the development of foreign language skills. In addition to this, an answer is sought to the question of whether audiobooks are effective in enriching the course content, increasing reading motivation, and acquiring different strategies in language learning. Based on the research results for these questions, it was determined that the students abstained from them in the first survey because they did not have full knowledge of audiobooks. Therefore, more participants in the second survey compared to the first survey preferred audiobooks instead of printed books as additional material to improve their language skills, increase motivation for reading, and improve reading techniques and strategies. In addition, the multimedia feature of audiobooks helps to increase concentration during reading. Considering the participants' desire for alternative information transfer tools and the materials they use to appeal to many senses, it can be interpreted that their hesitations about new media products stem from ignorance. Based on the research results, it is thought that it would be beneficial to use audiobooks as auxiliary material in developing various language skills in learning a foreign language in the classroom reading comprehension lesson.

BELAJAR SAMBIL BERMAIN KOSA KATA BAHASA INGGRIS PADA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR: EVALUASI MOTIVASI DAN PENGETAHUAN

Foreign language skills are needed to be able to compete internationally, so the role of English in education is expected to improve the quality of human resources as one of the pillars of education. Improving the quality of human resources is meant to start earlier, namely for the elementary school students. The Community Service (PkM) activities at elementary schools in central Maluku aims to (a) find out students' motivation in learning English, and (b) find out English knowledge at the elementary school level at the level of words and themes that become students' interest in learning. The results of PkM activities by applying learning while playing methods: word play, short sentences, and sentence dictation (Indonesian sentences, written in English and vice versa) indicate that the majority of students have motivation in learning English, it can be proven through the active role of students in the teaching and learning process and students' enthusiasm in answering questions given by the teacher. While student’s knowledge of English shows that the number of students who could fill in the words in the table according to the number given (50 words in 15-20 minutes) was very minimum (4 pairs from a total of 20 pairs or 20%). Further, students could write words with varied topics/themes. The most popular topics were animals (animals) and colors (colors), and also students were able to write simple Indonesian sentences into English or vice versa.

Peculiarities of Pedagogical Internship Organization for Future Specialists of Foreign Philology in Blended Learning

The competitiveness of the professional training of future philologists depends on the opportunities for professional realization, due to the formation of specific competencies, one of which is the competency of teaching activities. The specified factor encourages the creation of students’ conditions to obtain opportunities for professional realization in the practical activity of a teacher in secondary education.
 The conditions of a prolonged pandemic require the correction of the implementation of any type of educational activity by transferring it to the mode of distance learning which causes the need for students’ special training for pedagogical activities in the conditions of the mixed and distance mode in work of a secondary education.
 The purpose of the article is to analyze the features of pedagogical internship organization for students of foreign philology in a mixed form of education.
 The methodology is the analysis of scientific approaches to the definition the concepts "pedagogical practice of future philologists", "distance learning", "information and communication technologies (ICT)"; results’ presentation in the organization of pedagogical practice for philology students; determination of effective means for implementing the practical activities of an English language teacher in the conditions of distance learning which is based on the results of the pedagogical practice for philology students.
 Results. The pedagogical practice of philology students is aimed at forming the practical skills necessary for teaching a foreign language, in particular in all types of speech activity: speaking, reading, writing, listening. The formation of students' abilities to take into account the peculiarities of the presentation of educational information and the practice of specific foreign language skills for learners in the conditions of distance learning acquires importance.
 The analysis of the options of several platforms for the implementation of distance learning of a foreign language revealed the greatest effectiveness of the ZOOM program which was confirmed among other things by its selection as a common platform for training by basic colleges in O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv (Ukraine). 
 According to the results of pedagogical practice in the distance learning mode of the basic colleges, the need to correct the program of practices and the content of psychological and pedagogical disciplines and the methodology of teaching a foreign language, taking into account the characteristics of the teacher's activity in the conditions of the distance mode of work with the study group, was determined. 
 In conclusion it should sum up that it is important to focus students on a clear distribution of time for the implementation of all types of speaking activities in a foreign language for students in the classroom and the reflection of these tools at specific stages of a lesson, taking into account the time of assessment and reflection.

ANALISIS KINERJA LULUSAN PROGRAM STUDI MANAJEMEN PENDIDIKAN

This study aims to determine the performance of graduates of the UNG Education Management Study Program in Bone Bolango Regency, in terms of: (1) Integrity (ethics and morals); (2) Expertise based in the field of science (professionalism); (3) Foreign language skills (English); (4) Ability to use information technology: (5) Ability to communicate; (6) Team cooperation ability; (7) Self-development ability. This study applied a quantitative method with a descriptive approach. The number of research subjects was 30 graduate users. Data collection techniques use a questionnaire. The analytical technique used in this research is the descriptive analysis technique using the percentage formula. The results showed that the responses of graduate users on the aspects of: (1) Integrity (ethics and morals) were in a good category; (2) Expertise based on the field of science (professionalism) was in a good category; (3) Foreign language skills (English) was in a very poor category; (4) The ability to use information technology was in a fairly good category; (5) The communication ability was in a good category; (6) The ability of teamwork was in a good category; (7) Self-development ability was in a good category.

INTERACTIVE STUDYING AS A METHOD OF INTERPRETER’S FOREIGN-LANGUAGE COMPETENCE FORMATION

The article substantiates the necessity of he foreign-language competence formation of specialists inthe translation sphere during the process of studying a foreign language for professional purpouse, business and secondforeign languages. The modern state of interpreters’ preparation for professional activity is analyzed.Practical mastering of a foreign language is considered as a process of acquiring of a communicativeprofessionally oriented foreign competence by students. It is revealed that the level should not be lower than that whichallows the usage of a foreign language in scientific, informational and professional activities.It had been determined that the foreign competence of interpreters is an integrative quality that includes the
 level of mastering of foreign language knowledge, skills and abilities and consists of linguistic, communicative, socio-cultural and professional competences.
 As a result of the study, it was found that, skills of free communication in a foreign language and translation skillsneed particular knowledge in the field of economics, science or technology. The specialists with such level of languageproficiency must have not only knowledge and skills of foreign language, but also a profound understanding of foreignlanguage culture and realities.Effective formation of foreign language competence of specialists in the field of translation takes place in theprocess of studying such disciplines as: “Foreign Language (for Professional Purposes)”, “Business Foreign Language”, “Second Foreign Language”.The meaning of foreign language (for professional purposes) for experts in the sphere of interpretation isanalyzed. The process of foreign language competence formation, which is a necessary component of a full-fledgedprofessional training of interpreners had been described.The research reveals that the introduction of interactive studying methods is due to the application of the mainaspects, namely: projects, business games, web-quest, excursions, etc.It is proved that an important aspect in foreign language competence formation is the usage of informative andcommunicative technologies in education, which includes the using of information and communication technologies ineducation, work with computer and multimedia educational programs, distance learning technologies in foreignlanguages, creation of presentations, usage of resources of the World Wide Web Internet.

Foreign language skills and labour market earnings in Rwanda

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the extent to which proficiency in English and French as a form of human capital individually determine earnings in Rwanda’s labour market and whether it still pays to be bilingual. Using data from the nationally representative Labour Force Survey conducted in 2018, our findings show that after controlling for other human capital and demographic factors, proficiency in both languages is positively rewarded. However, economic returns for proficiency in English language are higher than those for French proficiency and this gap widens from the median to the upper tail of the earnings distribution. Further, in the last two deciles of the earnings distribution, returns to English proficiency surpass returns to bilingual proficiency. A key finding of our study is that proficiency in English is highly rewarded while being bilingual in English and French pays but not in the upper 20% of the earnings distribution. The observed high returns to English language proficiency are likely the outcomes of the language reforms that have been implemented in the country and, most importantly, reflect the history of post-genocide Rwanda. English has become the language of business, government and education, and this trend is likely to continue.

Promoting Students’ Reviewing Skills in Foreign Language Writing through Genre-Based Activities in Linguistic Classes

Recently, genre studies contribute not only to linguistic areas but also to the areas of language education. In language teaching and learning, developing learners’ awareness of various genres, especially those prevail in their future job contexts, is essential in the sense that learners could be better prepared to successfully produce texts of the same genres when required. In this study, genre-based activities (GBAs) were introduced to 40 third-year EFL students in two linguistic classes. The data collection was conducted via class interaction, assignment analysis and informal talks. The data analysis revealed that, despite some limitations in the intervention, GBAs had such positive effects on students’ development of reviewing skills in English writing as: students could link their text evaluation and revision to the contextual features, they tried to read extensively about the features of different genres, and accordingly, they could enhance their genre awareness, resulting in their better evaluation and revision of texts. However, it was found that unfamiliar genres might hinder the effects of GBAs. Texts elicited from students and multimodal texts were more appropriate inputs for novice genre analysts.

Korean-popular Facebook fan page analytics in Thailand

<span lang="EN-US">The purpose of this study was to gather, analyze, and elaborate big data on Facebook’s essential information, with a specific focus on the information obtained from Korean-popular (K-Pop) fan pages on the social networking site. For this analysis, a total of 3,531,736 comments by Korean-pop fans were gathered from various K-pop Facebook pages. In order to interpret how 11 extremely popular Facebook pages shape Thai fans’ enthusiasm for the South Korean music industry, descriptive statistics and visualization analysis were employed. Finally, data analytics and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the essential understanding of the Facebook pages. The research revealed three key findings: i) K-pop fan pages provide more opportunities for Thai fans to express their support for K-pop artists and advocate for causes, ii) K-pop fan pages provide more opportunities for Thai fans to communicate with K-pop artists, and iii) K-pop fan pages build opportunities for Thai fans to establish a more glamorous online presence despite limitations concerning financial resources, foreign language skills, and opportunities. In the future, the research outcomes may be valuable for academic studies and practice.</span>

Special issue: Language for Specific Purposes – Trends and Perspectives

This special journal issue comprises articles in the field of Language for Specific Purposes (LSP), most of which were presented at the Language for Specific Purposes: Trends and Perspectives International Conference held on 17-18 September 2021 in Budva, Montenegro. The conference was organised as part of the Erasmus+ ReFLAME project (Reforming Foreign Languages in Academia in Montenegro). ReFLAME is a CBHE project, the aim of which is to strengthen the capacities of Montenegrin universities to offer modern, market-oriented foreign language education for non-philology students, in response to the growing demand for foreign language skills in most work positions. The project is coordinated by the Faculty of Philology of the University of Montenegro, in partnership with the University of Donja Gorica, and Mediterranean University from Montenegro, and the University for Foreigners of Perugia, the University of Warsaw and the University of Zagreb as EU partners. The LSP conference provided an international forum for sharing experience, knowledge and results related to the theory, methodology and practice of teaching languages for specific purposes. It brought together over 100 researchers and practitioners from various countries who were focused on modern LSP concepts and approaches, establishing links with the needs of both academia and the labour market. The conference participants presented their research results, projects and experience, showing significant advances and demonstrating good practice in different areas of LSP. The current journal issue includes 19 articles that revolve around seven thematic issues related to the LSP field: LSP and Higher Education, LSP and Eteaching and E-learning, ESP Coursebook Design and Materials Development, Corpus-based Research in ESP, the Pragmatic Aspects of LSP discourse, ESP and Literature, and ESP and Translation

Meaningful, gamified training of reading fluency

Improving learners' reading is of importance. The digital world is centred on the written word, and today's labour market requires high literacy levels. Furthermore, the development of school and foreign language skills among learners, especially those of weaker learners, is crucial as the effects of globalisation allow for increased work mobility and the necessity for lifelong learning. GameLet provides effective training scenarios for reading fluency, a prerequisite for reading comprehension, in schools with gamified, self-guided, personalised, media-based individual and collaborative learning, thereby allowing educators to intensify and extend learning activities to out-of-school settings. At the core of GameLet lies the production of a podcast by the learners that encourages them to read repeatedly, hence improving their reading fluency, and to successfully record their role in a digitalRecording Studio. Increasing reading fluency is targeted by means of media-supported individual and cooperative learning phases with various training methods. Furthermore, GameLet implements meaningful digital media-based Gamification mechanisms for the purpose of increasing student motivation. The software is web-based and was developed with a focus on user-centred design and an agile and design-based approach. Prototype development followed an iterative and participative process, in which students and teachers of three participating partner countries interacted with the developed materials. Artefacts were tested in both face-to-face and online settings. GameLet exemplifies the successful application of Gamification for improving and extending classical learning scenarios at school as well as the design of effective learning technologies that are meaningful, gamified, effective and usable.

Predicting foreign language skills based on first languages: The role of lexical distance and relative morphological complexity

Abstract Research on adult second language learning shows the importance of the linguistic proximity of acquired languages to the target language as a predictor of learning. Not much research has been done on the impact of linguistic distance in foreign language learning settings. We analysed the speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills of multilingual 14-year-old French learners (N = 409) in a German-speaking context who indicated at least one language other than German as (a) L 1. Using mixed-effect models, we tested associations between linguistic contrasts between French and the individuals’ first languages and their success on tests of French as a foreign language. The models also controlled for motivation, curriculum-related variables as well as social, economic and educational background information. Results show a small effect for lexical distance with all four skills, while relative morphological complexity seems negligible. The study therefore shows that the impact of lexical distance is measurable not only in immersive second language learning settings, but also in foreign language instruction settings with very limited exposure to the target language.

Which Skills Are the Most Absent among University Graduates in the Labour Market? Evidence from Slovakia

The most important purposes of Slovakian universities are research and education. The main goal of university education is to prepare highly skilled graduates to be employed in the labour market either at home or abroad. To achieve this goal, universities need to receive feedback from their graduates as to whether they are satisfied with their education and whether their employers are satisfied with their skills. The results obtained in this study show that, except for graduates from technical sciences, most graduates of Slovakian universities are not satisfied with the study programmes they chose. There are various factors affecting the satisfaction of graduates with their study programme; however, the most important ones were related to their employability and their employment in their field of study. Moreover, potential employers have greater expectations in relation to soft skills than graduates have acquired. The greatest differences between the required and acquired skills were seen in soft skills, such as the ability to take responsibility, to communicate with people, to negotiate, and to adapt to change, regardless of the field of study. Other than foreign language skills, the level of required hard skills was only slightly higher than the level acquired. According to these results, we make recommendations for universities, politicians, and potential employers; however, only reasonable cooperation among them can lead to graduates being satisfied with their chosen study programme.

Life-Writing and Virtual Exchange

While we find ourselves immersed in a virtual society, the opportunity to use digital technologies for dialogue and understanding is still not well represented at third-level, despite the dramatic move towards teaching online during the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper presents a web-based Virtual Exchange (VE) between Cork (UCC) and the Fachhochschule Dresden (FHD) with a focus on life-writing and biography, developing qualitative research skills and speaking the foreign language (FL). Each student was tasked with conducting three interviews with their designated peer in the FL and producing a website (blog) or e-portfolio to present and reflect on findings. The first iteration of the module took place in 2020-21. This paper discusses students’ learning experiences during the updated, follow-up course in 2021-22. Findings show that they learned most in the interaction with their peers, learning through self-disclosure, sharing meaningful experiences, negotiating (difficult) life experiences and expanding their FL skills. The findings also point to evidence of transformational learning in the sample group. We conclude with some insights regarding the future development of the VE and include important limitations of the study.